Author Archives: Domenic Vadala

Welcome to Birdland Crush! Yes folks, for the record it's a spin off of the popular summer beverage native to the Mid-Atlantic Region - "orange crush." Nevertheless, I've been covering Orioles' baseball since 2009 in some capacity, and it's basically the greatest gig of all time so far as I'm concerned! But for those who aren't familiar with my work or bio, I'm familiar with pretty much every sport out there. But baseball is king - we all know that. So my hope is that you come back and check in after every Orioles' game, and throughout the off-season. I'm always on duty!

Baltimore Orioles trade for triple-A pitcher Tom Eshelman

The Baltimore Orioles completed a trade this morning a the triple-A level. They sent international bonus slot money to Philadelphia in exchange for pitcher Tom Eshelman. The Norfolk Tides may be in some need of additional pitching if and when guys start getting promoted to the big leagues.

Over five years in the minors at various levels, Eshelman has a win percentage of .576 and a 3.06 ERA. I suppose my question is whether or not this is a fore shock of sorts for other moves. I might be wrong (and Lord knows I have been before), however Eshelman doesn’t seem to be a candidate to come to the big leagues anytime soon. It seems like more of a move for depth at the minor league level.

Eshelman was actually drafted by the Houston Astros organization, of which GM Mike Elias was also a member as the Asst. GM. So the Front Office is familiar with Eshelman and what he brings to the table. I’m not sure this is a move that will impact the Orioles directly anytime soon, but nevertheless Tom Eshelman is now a member of the Orioles organization.

Baltimore Orioles: Letting your opponent off the hook makes for losses

There are exceptions to every rule, however playing the Baltimore Orioles can often mean you won’t be held accountable for your mistakes. Even a contender like Houston will err in a game, but this afternoon that was allowed to slide. And it’s been allowed to slide for many Oriole opponents this year. Starter Dylan Bundy put the Birds in a position to win by throwing a quality start, however it was for naught. Bundy’s line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 1 K.

Bundy kept Houston off the board for three innings. So you figure that as can happen it was the second time through the order and onward that they figured out Bundy. And as has been the case for the Orioles often this year, the rally started innocently enough – with a two-out single.

That brought Houston’s Alvarez to the plate, in what was his second big league at-bat (in his first big league game). And true to form in terms of how things have gone for the Orioles this year, Alvarez smacked his first big league hit and homer all in one fatal swoop. That gave Houston a 2-0 lead…which in theory would have been all they would have needed.

Two innings later in the last of the third Reddick poked an RBI-single that extended Houston’s lead to 3-0. But that was also indicative of what has to be frustrating the Orioles this year. Opponents are literally finding ways to score – no questions asked. That Reddick RBI-single was a softly hit bloop – very softly hit. The Oriole outfield happened to be back, which is why that softly-hit ball fell in for a hit.

And here’s the thing folks; you can’t control your hitting to that degree. By that, I mean you can’t really do anything to induce a bloop. You can’t swing lighter or anything along those lines. It has to hit the bat at just the right angle and in just the right manner – in short, it just happens. And it happens a lot to the Orioles.

The big part of this game however was the top of the seventh. The Orioles had the bases loaded with nobody out. Granted Houston had to change pitchers, but they allowed them off the hook. You have to recognize that they aren’t taking pity on teams when that happens. They’re trying to hold teams accountable for their mistakes. But for the most part it just isn’t happening.

And that’s one of the big contrasts between this Orioles team right now and their opponents. Other teams are getting far off of bloop singles, dropped balls, errors, etc. (Some of that the Orioles can control, but not all of it – such as the bloop singles.) One way or the other, teams are holding the Orioles accountable both for their in-game mistakes and for the things which go on in games over which they have no control – but are still to their detriment.

Yet the O’s aren’t doing the same. As I said above, they aren’t letting teams off the hook out of the goodness of their hearts. They’re trying to win games. This is all part of rebuilding, which is a process about which the Orioles have been very up front in that it’s painful to watch. But if they’re going to move on in that process, they’re going to have to learn how to hold teams accountable regularly.

Houston would tack on an insurance run in the eighth before closing the Birds out. The Orioles now head back to Baltimore for a day off tomorrow before welcoming Toronto in on Tuesday night.

Baltimore Orioles: Anthony Santander’s catch May have saved a win

Andrew Cashner got to return to his home state this afternoon as a starting pitcher, and helped the Baltimore Orioles to make Houston pay. Cashner was fortunate enough to get himself a lead, and then allowed the team to put that lead on his shoulders. Cashner’s line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

The Orioles and Houston played to a 0-0 tie through five innings. After an extra-innings game last night, things seemed to be going towards that same direction today – again, through five innings. However in the 6th Renato Nunez put the Birds on the board with a solo homer.

However Cashner had some help in preserving the lead. And some big time help at that. With one out in the last of the sixth Gurriel sent a deep shot to right field. Houston already had two runners on base, and it appeared that the ball was headed for the right field grandstand (which would have given Houston a 3-1 lead). However Orioles’ right fielder Anthony Santander climbed the wall in right to bring the ball back in play. Santander then proceeded to double the runner off of first (while the runner from third tagged up and scored, tying the game).

While Houston was able to tie the game, that’s all they were able to do. Santander flat out saved a home run in that instance, and he ended the inning. And he may have saved the game. It’s also worth mentioning…Santander is only on the roster right now because of the Orioles’ injuries. Interesting twist.

The Birds would then re-take the lead in the 8th on an E6. For good measure, Richie Martin would smack a two-run homer in the ninth, giving the O’s a 4-1 lead and a 4-1 victory. There are a lot of aspects of any win or loss – it’s rarely because of one person or one play. However that Santander catch was as good a play as you’re going to see. While the O’s still had to go out and win the game by re-taking the lead, that play just stands out. It was as good and as clutch of a play as you’re going to see.

The series concludes tomorrow at Minute Maid Park. Dylan Bundy gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Houston’s Wade Miley (former Orioles). Game time is set for just after 2 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Gabriel Ynoa tosses a quality start in loss

Baltimore Orioles’ starter Gabriel Ynoa there a quality start last night in Houston. Of course the problem is that the Birds dropped the game to the Houston Astros. However that’s keep in mind that Houston’s an established winner, and the Orioles are trying to become that. The O’s are also at limited strength with the injuries they sustained this past week in Dallas. Ynoa’s line: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 K.

The Orioles gave Ynoa a lead before he even stepped on the field. They loaded the bases in the top of the first, and netted two runs on Rio Ruiz‘s two-RBI single. Two innings later in the third Chance Sisco‘s solo homer ran the lead to 3-0.

It was shaping up to be a good night for the Birds with Ynoa dealing and a three-run lead. However in the fifth Ynoa made two bad pitches. One came to Reddick, resulting in a solo homer. The other came to Kemp, resulting in a two-run shot.

Other than that, Ynoa pitches a great game. He certainly did his job as a starter, which is to put the team in a spot to win the game. He’s also been a pleasant surprise since coming up from the minors. We saw Ynoa a bit last year, and with lackluster results. But he’s put in a lot of work since then, and he’s spent a lot of time with the new Orioles’ regime’s coaches. He looks like a totally different pitcher.

The game went into extra innings, and Houston won on a walk off RBI-double by Chirinos in the 11th. There was a close play at the plate, and the runner was called safe at the plate. The call was also upheld on review. The play itself set off a wild celebration by the Houston players, and the upholding of the play meant another wild celebration – almost as if they won the game twice. Interesting reaction for a team that’s won a World Series very recently, and who had to go to extra innings to beat a team with the record that the Orioles have.

The series continues this afternoon at Minute Maid Park. Andrew Cashner gets the call for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Houston’s Framber Valdez. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Dwight Smith Jr joins walking wounded in loss

The Baltimore Orioles left Texas last night with a roster full of injured players. It’s almost unbelievable how many players were injured in this series. Short of the players not hustling, nothing could be done to prevent the injuries. As for the game David Hess did all he could to put the Orioles on a spot to win the game. But with so many players out, it was tough. Hess’ line: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R (3 earned), 1 BB, 2 K.

Trey Mancini gave the O’s the lead early with a solo homer in the first inning. However one inning later Pence tied it with a solo shot of his own. Guzman’s RBI-single later in the inning gave Texas a 2-1 lead. Then in the middle of the fourth, we had a 13-minute rain delay. For what amounted to a cloud burst over the ballpark. That happens in Texas.

Stevie Wilkerson‘s RBI-single in the fifth would briefly tie the game at two. However Texas took the lead right back in the sixth. They got an RBI-single from DeShields, who took third on a Chris Davis error in right field. He would later score on Santana’s sac fly-RBI.

Davis of course was playing right field because Trey Mancini was DHing…because he was also nic’d up a bit. And it goes on. Davis would get a run back for the O’s with a sixth-inning RBI-double, however it was too little too late to salvage the game and the O’s dropped the series finale 4-3.

The Orioles also lost Dwight Smith Jr. for awhile as he crashed into the wall in left field running down a ball. He did make the out (the final out in the fourth inning), but he hit hard. If there’s one thing the O’s didn’t need in this game it was someone else sustaining an injury. Smith is in concussion protocol, and he also banged up his shoulder. It’s unclear if he’ll have to go to the IL, however odds are we won’t see him for awhile.

So that’s four players who were injured in this series. Five if you count Mancini, who was still able to act as the DH. The Orioles May end up having to send Smith or others to the IL just to open up roster spots to guys who could actually play. So today could be a busy day for the Orioles on the roster front.

The Birds now head to Houston for a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. Gabriel Ynoa gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Houston’s Gerrit Cole. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall in extras as injuries mount

If it was possible to play a game starkly opposite to the previous one, the Baltimore Orioles found a way to do it in Texas last night. Whereas Tuesday’s game was a shootout, the Birds last night found themselves in a pitcher’s duel behind starter John Means, who pitched a great game. Means’ line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

Means gave up an RBI-double to Andrus in the first inning – and that was it. Both sides has multiple shots at scoring more runs. The Orioles left a small army on base. They didn’t have any problems getting guys on. It was getting them in where they struggled.

The Birds appeared poised to drop this game 1-0. However Richie Martin smacked a solo homer in the ninth inning to tie the game. For once it was the O’s hunting someone in the waning seconds of a game and coming back on someone late. The game stretched to the 12th inning, where Texas won it on DeShields’ was off RBI-single. Someone had to win, and it wasn’t the Orioles’ day.

But that last line is intended in more than one manner. The Orioles sustained multiple injuries in this game, exhausting their bench and making one wonder what will happen going into tonight’s game and beyond. Things could get dicey.

Catcher Pedro Severino left the game in the first inning after being clunked on the head with a foul ball. Home plate umpire Brian O’Nora noticed something was off with Severino, and called for the Orioles’ trainers. Later on we received word that Severino didn’t have a concussion.

DJ Stewart left the game with what was later called a sprained knee after crashing into the brick facade at Globe Life Park. It’s a shame because Stewart had finally gotten a hit after being in a mini-slump since coming up. The last thing he needs is to be on the IL. Jonathan Villar also left the game after apparently straining his left thumb.

All three of these players could well avoid the IL. However where does that leave the Orioles tonight and heading into the weekend in Houston? They completed the game without a bench player left to spare. It wouldn’t shock me to see at least one guy on the IL today, just because the Orioles need a bench going into these games.

The series in Dallas concludes this evening at Globe Life Park. David Hess gets the call for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Ariel Jurado. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles hold on to win Texas two-step

The Baltimore Orioles has several big leads last night in Texas, but held on to win at the end despite a furious comeback attempt by Texas. Dylan Bundy has a four-run lead before even stepping onto the field. End of the day, it was just one of those nights in Texas where the ball really flew. Bundy’s line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

The O’s got a three-run homer from Dwight Smith Jr, and a solo shot from Pedro Severino in the top of the first to take a 4-0 lead. (Severino would end up having a career night.) However as I said, the ball really flew last night in Texas – for both teams. Texas got one back in the last of the first on a solo homer by Choo.

The teams exchanged sac flies in the second and third innings, but in the fourth Keon Broxton picked up the homer parade again with a solo homer. Later in the inning Dwight Smith Jr. appeared to break the game wide open. He came up with the bases loaded and smacked a bases-clearing double. The O’s led 9-3 then after the fourth and a Texas RBI-single.

And with that, Severino smacked another homer (this one of the two-run variety) in the seventh), giving the O’s an 11-3 lead. Texas would put runs on the board in the last of the seventh and last of the eighth. That left the Birds with an 11-5 lead. Seems safe, right? In general and for the most part.

Before Texas could even think about coming back, Pedro Severino smacked his third homer (a solo shot) of the game in the top of the ninth. The O’s led 12-5. However Texas tried to come all the way back, and they almost succeeded. Cabrera’s two-RBI double cut the lead to 12-7. Odor added an RBI-single, and Forsythe a two-RBI double. Choo’s RBI-single cut the lead all the way down to one at 12-11.

Luckily for the Orioles, Andrus struck out with two outs in the ninth to end the game. It was a valiant comeback attempt by the Texas Rangers, but ultimately this one went in the Orioles’ column. As I said above, Pedro Severino had a career game. Of the Orioles’ five homers, he hit three.

The series continues tonight in Texas. John Means gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Mike Minor. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: More on Adley Rutschman and the draft

Baltimore Orioles’ General Manager Mike Elias seemingly got rave reviews in his selection of Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman with the first overall pick last night. Said by Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo:

He has a strong arm, impressive receiving and blocking ability and excellent footwork on throws to second base, with a quick exchange from his glove to his release. Some scouts would like to have seen Rutschman throw more frequently this spring, but teams have run against him infrequently – and for good reason. Like most catchers, speed is Rutschman’s weakest tool and the only tool that doesn’t project as plus, but that’s hardly a concern moving forward.
Most scouts believe Rutschman has a chance to be an All-Star-level player in the majors as an impact bat in the middle of the order while also bringing plenty of defensive value. With excellent makeup and plenty of natural leadership traits, Rutschman has all the intangibles teams like to see from their backstops. He is the best catching prospect since Buster Posey in 2008 and Matt Wieters in 2007.

Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports

Many Orioles fans on twitter told me that one drawback to Rutschman might be that Wieters didn’t pan out the way that the Orioles had initially thought. Wieters also had to undergo Tommy John’s surgery, which is certainly not part of the initial outlook on any player. However I would caution fans from saying that the O’s should have gone in a different direction based squarely on that.

The O’s also had the first pick in the second round of last night’s draft, and they picked shortstop Gunnar Henderson out of John T. Morgan Academy in Selma, AL. He’s a southpaw fielder who scouts expect to get better as he progresses through the minors. Overall, it was a successful first day of the draft for the Birds.

The Orioles are in Arlington, TX this evening to open up a three-game set with the Texas Rangers. Dylan Bundy gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Drew Smyly. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles draft Adley Rutschman first overall

For the first time since 1989, the Baltimore Orioles has the first pick in this year’s first year MLB player draft. GM Mike Elias wasted no time, and selected Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman. One way or the other, those two will now forever be linked.

Rutschman’s a switch hitter, who appears to have a tremendous upside. He’s hit .411, with ten doubles, a triple, and 17 homers at this plate this year thus far in 2019. He also has 58 RBI. In the past few days most scouts were agreeing that Rutschman would be the top pick in the draft.

I would remind fans that they won’t see Rutschman at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for some time. He has to progress through the minor league system. However as the number one overall pick, he MUST be a can’t miss prospect. In other words, they’d better hit on him. Presumably however, his rise through the minors will be well-documented as time goes on.

Baltimore Orioles: Draft day

Today is the biggest day for the Baltimore Orioles’ future in some time. The Orioles of course will have the top pick in the draft, which is this evening. The only other time that happened was 1989, and the O’s selected pitcher Ben McDonald. Whomever GM Mike Elias drafts with that top pick this evening will play a major role in the franchise’s future moving forward.

However the difference between this year and 1989 is the fact that there doesn’t appear to be a consensus top draft pick. McDonald was always going to be the number one pick in 1989 – it was just a matter of who was going to get the top pick to select him. There is talent in this year’s draft, it’s just a matter of whom the Orioles wish to stake their future. No pressure there, for whomever that pick ends up being.

A name that’s been thrown around a lot in the past few weeks is Oregon State catcher Adley Rutchsman. Many scouts are deeming him the top pick, however he’s not the only guy on the Orioles’ radar. High School (Texas) shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is also a potential draft choice, as is Georgia High School shortstop/CFer C.J. Abrams.

Whomever the selection is (and for all I know it may be someone other than who I mentioned above), both he and the Orioles’ brass will be heavily scrutinized. However again keep in mind that there’s no apparent slam dunk player who’s understood to be the top selection this year. It could be anyone. It’ll certainly be interesting to see in which direction the Orioles go.